Jordan E. Cooper's campaign to #saveAintNoMo picked up traction this weekend, with film and television superstars Will and Jada Pinkett Smith buying out an entire performance of the new comedy following news of its unexpected closing. The show, which opened December 1, announced a December 18 closing date earlier this week, citing low ticket sales.
In an Instagram post, Cooper said: “Ain't No Mo' needs your help. It’s a new original play that’s Black AF, which are things that make it hard to sell on Broadway. Now they’ve posted an eviction notice,” adding, “But thank God Black people are immune to eviction notice.” He then included the hashtag #saveAintNoMo and encouraged people to buy tickets to the show, saying “We’ve worked hard to make it accessible with an average ticket price of $50.”
Cooper announced the buyout via his instagram as well, saying "We still fighting! Thank you @willsmith & @jadapinkettsmith for believing in this work and joining the fight! And thank you to every single person who has shared my letter and it’s call to action. Thank you to everyone who has bought a ticket or sponsored someone, that is the work! We just getting this battle started y’all, let’s GOOO!! We gonna keep fighting till it Ain’t No Mo! #saveaintnomo".
In the comments of his Instagram posts, numerous theatrical figures have shared the actions they have taken to boost ticket sales for the production, including Pulitzer winner Lynn Nottage, who shared that she had purchased tickets for her office, and Fat Ham star Marcel Spears and Sistas star Brian Jordan Jr., who are each sponsoring individual tickets.
Ain’t No Mo’ is a play that posits, in series of comedy sketches: “What happens if the American government offered African Americans a one-way ticket back to Africa?”
The show is directed by Stevie Walker-Webb. The cast of the world premiere is made up of Cooper, who plays Peaches, as well as Crystal Lucas-Perry, Fedna Jacquet, Marchánt Davis, Ebony Marshall-Oliver, Shannon Matesky, Nik Alexander, Jasminn Johnson, Michael Rishawn, Kedren Spencer, Brennie Tellu, and Emma Van Lare.
The creative team includes lighting designer Adam Honoré, scenic designer Scott Pask, costume designer Emilio Sosa, co-sound designers Jonathan Deans and Taylor Williams, and wig designer Mia M. Neal.
Marchant Davis and company of Ain't No Mo'
Crystal Lucas-Perry in Ain't No Mo'
Fedna Jacquet, Shannon Matesky, Marchant Davis, Crystal Lucas Perry, and Ebony Marshall Oliver in Ain't No Mo'
Shannon Matesky and Crystal Lucas Perry in Ain't No Mo'
Jordan E. Cooper in Ain't No Mo'
Cystal Lucas Perry and Ebony Marshall Oliver in Ain't No Mo'
